Bluetongue: Farmers report worrying rise in cases of abortion and birth defects in calves

It has been a very difficult calving season for farmers with a growing number of cows aborting or giving birth to calves with birth complications after testing positive for bluetongue

Chris Brayford
clock • 5 min read
Since July 2025, there have been 318 positive cases of bluetongue in the UK. Positive cases of bluetongue on farms across the UK have resulted in calves being born, in some instances, blind, with abnormal brain tissue, and neurological disorders.
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Since July 2025, there have been 318 positive cases of bluetongue in the UK. Positive cases of bluetongue on farms across the UK have resulted in calves being born, in some instances, blind, with abnormal brain tissue, and neurological disorders.

Farmer have been urged to make preparations to vaccinate livestock as soon as possible after a growing number of worrying bluetongue cases within a 21 day period during the Spring calving season. Between...

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